WHILE A MAJORITY OF CANADIANS SAY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE ENOUGH FOR AIRLINE SECURITY (54%) AND TIGHTENING SECURITY ALONG THE U.S. BORDER (53%),
Only one-quarter (23%) of Canadians say that the government has done enough to make sure that immigrants to Canada are properly screened for potential terrorism activities. In fact, seven-in-ten (69%) believe that the Federal government has not done enough in this area. While only 5% say that too much has been done to screen immigrants.
These are the findings of an Ipsos-Reid/Globe and Mail/CTV poll conducted between December 18th and December 20th, 2001. The poll is based on a randomly selected sample of 1,000 adult Canadians. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within 177 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire adult Canadian population been polled. The margin of error will be larger within regions and for other sub-groupings of the survey population. These data were statistically weighted to ensure the sample's regional and age/sex composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to the 1996 Census data.
A majority (54%) of residents believe that over the last three months the Federal government has done enough to provide airline and airport security for travelers, while one-third (35%) say that not enough has been done for security at airports and on flights. Just 7% say that too much as been done in this area.
- Residents of Quebec (63%) are more likely to say that enough has been done. Residents of Atlantic Canada (55%), Ontario (53%), Saskatchewan/Manitoba (53%) and Alberta (50%) follow. British Columbians (45%) are less likely to feel this way.
- Women (37%) are more likely than men (32%) to say that not enough has been done in this area.
Half (53%) of Canadians believe that the Federal government has done enough to tighten security along the Canada - United States border. One-third (33%) feel that not enough has been done in this area, while one-in-ten (10%) believe that too much has been done.
- Residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (59%) are more likely than others to say that enough has been done to tighten the border, while their neighbours in Alberta (37%) are least likely to express this view. In fact, Albertans (41%) are the most likely to say that not enough has been done in this area.
- Middle aged (54%) and younger (53%) Canadians are more likely than older (49%) Canadians to believe enough has been done.
Only one-quarter (23%) of Canadians say that the government has done enough to make sure that immigrants to Canada are properly screened for potential terrorism activities. In fact, seven-in-ten (69%) believe that the Federal government has not done enough in this area. While only 5% say that too much has been done to screen immigrants.
- Residents of Atlantic Canada (27%), Quebec (26%) and Alberta (24%) are more likely to feel that enough has been done in the screening of immigrants. While those in Ontario (22%), Saskatchewan/Manitoba (19%) and British Columbia (18%) are less likely.
- Younger (27%) Canadians are more likely than their middle aged (22%) or older (19%) counterparts to feel that enough has been done. While the opposite pattern holds for those who say not enough has been done. Older (75%) Canadians are more likely than those middle aged (71%) or younger (62%) to say this.
- Men and women are as likely to say that enough (Men - 24%; Women - 22%) or not enough (Women - 70%; Men - 68%) has been done in this area.
For the complete media release and tables, please download the attached PDF file.
-30-John Wright
For more information on this news release, please contact:
John Wright
Senior Vice-President
Public Affairsbr> Ipsos-Reid
(416) 324-2900
